Cagayan de oro: Northern Mindanao posted the highest number of convictions in Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) cases with 89 convictions from 2024 to 2025, as the local government here strengthens its anti-OSAEC response through a Multi-Disciplinary Team.

According to Philippines News Agency, on Tuesday, Cagayan de Oro Deputy City Prosecutor Hosni Guiling presented to participants in the MDT training comprehensive guidelines for preparing affidavits for law enforcers and social workers to help OSAEC survivors pursue cases against their perpetrators. Guiling emphasized the importance of protecting children from all kinds of abuse but cautioned participants to protect the identities of survivors, especially when perpetrators are relatives, to prevent exposure in affidavits.

The establishment of the MDT is among the priority law enforcement and after-care mechanisms for survivors following the passage of the city's Ordinance No. 2025-743 last year. The team will be composed of prosecutors, social workers, the police, non-government organizations, and other private stakeholders. The ordinance not only localized Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act, but also designated Northern Mindanao as its first designated Justice Zone.

Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental Executive Judge Arthur Abundiente, lead convenor of the Justice Zone, highlighted the severity of OSAEC as a modern-day threat that destroys lives and futures. He described it as a war without firearms that significantly impacts children and society.

Regional Prosecutor Merlynn Uy reported that Northern Mindanao achieved the highest number of convictions in OSAEC and CSAEM cases during the stipulated period, with most convictions occurring in Iligan City, followed by Cagayan de Oro.

The week-long MDT and basic internet crimes against children training was held in collaboration with the City Social Welfare and Development and the International Justice Mission (IJM). IJM Philippines Community Engagement Director Evelyn Pingul stressed that OSAEC remains underreported in the country, underscoring the importance of the MDT's role in enforcing anti-OSAEC and anti-CSAEM laws and ordinances in the city.